Anti-Jewish Folklore and the Rise of Antisemitism Before, During and After the Holocaust

Anti-Jewish Folklore and the Rise of Antisemitism Before, During and After the Holocaust

October 5, 2026

The first written account of an anti-Jewish folktale is a tale of English or German origin, published in 1228. From the Middle Ages to the Modern Era, these folktales helped fuel the anti-Jewish prejudice prevalent within and beyond Western society. By the nineteenth century, the tales assisted in paving the way for anti-Judaism to transition into antisemitism; subsequently, the Nazis were then able to capitalize on these stories as objects of antisemitic propaganda. Join Dr. Sofia Lago, Lecturer of English for Academic Purposes at Suzhou University, for a discussion about how these counternarratives served to inflame rampant antisemitism perpetuated by Hitler’s Nazi party.

This program is free, but registration is required.